Private Tastings

Your place. Your people. Much better wine.

A private tasting turns an ordinary evening into something worth talking about, without turning your living room into a classroom.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting friends for dinner or simply looking for an excuse to open something interesting, The Tasting Bureau brings the wines, the stories and just enough structure to keep everyone engaged. Tastings are relaxed, conversational and tailored to your group. No previous knowledge required, no intimidating jargon and no compulsory swirling.

You choose the occasion, and we’ll make sure nobody misses the small talk.

Perfect for…

  • Birthdays and milestone celebrations

  • Dinner parties

  • Anniversaries and engagement gatherings

  • Reunions and visiting friends

  • Bachelor and bachelorette evenings

  • Client entertaining at home

  • Groups who have exhausted the usual night out

Recommended private tasting formats

  • The Blind Tasting Challenge — Guests follow the clues, compare theories and make increasingly confident conclusions. Excellent for mixed-knowledge groups.

  • The Price Experiment — Can anyone distinguish the splurge from the steal? A reliably provocative tasting that usually exposes at least one expensive assumption.

  • Wine & Cheese — Relaxed, generous and easy to build into an evening. Particularly good for groups that want equal parts tasting and socializing.

  • Around the World in Six Wines — A broad, accessible choice for groups with different tastes and experience levels.

  • French Masterclass — A more indulgent option for serious wine lovers — or people who would like to become them.

  • Choose Your Own Adventure — Build a tasting around a favorite country, grape, holiday memory or shared obsession.

How it works

  1. Tell us about your group. The occasion, number of guests, location and what everyone enjoys drinking.

  2. We design the tasting. Choose an existing experience or let us create something personal.

  3. Invite your guests. We arrive with the wine, materials and guidance; you take the credit.

FAQs

  • Description text goes Most tastings run for approximately 90 minutes to two hours. We keep things moving, but never so quickly that you can’t finish the wine — or the argument it started.

  • Description text goPrivate tastings work especially well for groups of 4 to 12 people. For larger gatherings, get in touch and we’ll suggest a format that keeps everyone involved.es here

  • The wines are included in the quoted price, although if you want to include bottle you already have we can adapt the quote for you. Glassware can be arranged, along with tasting materials and everything needed to run the experience.

  • Absolutely. We can add cheese, chocolate or other simple pairings to complement the wines. If you’re planning a full meal, we can also design the tasting around your menu.

  • We host private tastings throughout New York City. Events farther afield may also be possible, with an additional travel charge where appropriate.

  • Perfect. No prior knowledge is expected — and nobody will be asked to identify a minor Burgundy appellation under pressure. Every tasting is designed to be engaging for complete beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

  • Yes. Please tell us when booking and we’ll discuss thoughtful alcohol-free options. Guests are also always welcome to taste selectively, use a spittoon or simply join the conversation.

  • Private tastings start from $[amount], based on [number] guests. The final price depends on the group size, wines and any food pairings or additional services. Every quote is agreed in advance—no mysterious supplements appearing after the final pour.